So, I made the tactical error of counting the number of nupps (and, therefore, the number of p7tog) that I made while knitting this shawl. This was a mistake because prior to knowing the number, I thought I had knit a pretty, large shawl, no biggie. After tallying up the numbers, however, the moment of WOW really sank in.

2260 nupps

Yeah. I can’t quite believe I knit all of that, either.

And then I started to panic, ever so slightly. Should I send the shawl through the regular mail? Also, thank God this is destined for grandma (as her 80th birthday’s present, no less) – she is the only person who can cherish this shawl properly. In fact, I don’t think anyone else should ever be allowed to touch it again, myself included.

The pattern is massive, but I can’t say it’s overly complicated, even considering the separately-knit borders. Stitches flowed easily, and there was enough repetition that I was able to knit parts of the shawl while watching TV. I think the nupps ate up a lot of yardage, which is why 1400 yards were required for a shawl which is only 41″ square.

Speaking of the size… I was a little disappointed that I couldn’t block the shawl a bit bigger. Mind you, it had enough stretchiness in the center stitches to go at least another 3″, I’m guessing. But the outermost edge was too tight and prevented it from getting any larger. Also, I wish the points blocked out a bit more pronounced and not so soft, which again was limited by the tightness of the edge.

Solution and some advice for those who might be knitting this shawl: when casting on the lace edge, use a needle several times larger than the needle you’re using for the main portion. (Yup, it’s the cast-on of the lace edge which ends up being the outermost point of the shawl.)

With respect to this, Nancy Bush writes:

The Haapsalu knitters may choose to use a needle one to two sizes larger than was used for the center for [the lace edge] cast on and a needle one size smaller than the cast-on needle for knitting the lace. However, I unusually knit my shawls using the same needle for the center and lace edgings.

Le sigh. I assumed my knitting would be similar to Nancy’s, and went with her suggestion here. I should have used the Haapsalu’s advice instead ;). Point taken for the next round. You didn’t think this would be my last shawl from this book, did you?!?

159 thoughts on “I counted the nupps. Gulp!”

did you count them one by one or do some calculations? that’s amazing! i often ponder about how many stitches i am making to complete my work (including tinked ones!) and i blows my mind. i can’t wait to try some nupps myself, but i am not quite at the level to attempt one of the patterns from this book. sooooon soon…

I also think you’re spot-on as to what ate up all the yarn. Those nupps are knitting black holes when it comes to yardage. Also, as Nancy states, shawls fetched higher prices when they used more yarn, and nupps were just the ticket! They also couldn’t be reproduced by machine.

This shawl couldn’t be more beautiful. You absolutely took my breath away saying the nupps were made by P7tog. Can that even be done? Well, I guess it can–and 2260 times at that! I know your grandma will so appreciate this loving gift.

I wish I hadn’t read how many nupps there are as I had had ambitions to knit this shawl. While it makes your accomplishment even more fantastic, I’ll be using it as an excuse to practice my nupp-knitting on something else first.

Gosh it’s really gorgeous. I assume the thousands of nupps give it have a bit more weight that a similarly sized shawl without nupps? I bet that’s nice. But since no one is allowed to touch it, I’ll never know! Hehe.

Kathy: I’m stunned and breathless all at once. Absolutely beautiful and love the color of the yarn. Your nupps look perfect, but then I guess after so many, you are an expert nupp knitter – say that 5 times fast. Can’t wait to see what you knit next from Nancy’s book.

I couldn’t resist doing the math: 2260 nupps times p7tog/nupp means you “nupped” (is that even a word? well, it is now) 15,820 purl stitches to make all those nupps!!!

Wow. Just, wow!

And please, if at all possible, hand deliver it to your Grandma. If not, send with tracking, insurance, return reciept, certified, and all the other bells and whistles the post office offers. This is a one-of-a-kind creation!

I have a question for you and would appreciate your advise. With this shawl, is it possible to pickup stitches and knit on the border instead of sewing it on? I love the shawl, but don’t think I want to sew that many stitches.

Amazing shawl, in every way! I so appreciate your notes about the cast on and needle size. I will definitely knit something from this book. In fact I think I am starting one very soon- the leaf triangle.

Please share your Grandmother’s comments after she receives this gift, with us!

With hand-delivery, you know it got there, plus you’ll get to see your grandmother’s reaction in person (the importance and satisifaction of which should NOT be underestimated!). Reading about this project and seeing the beautiful outcome of your efforts, all done with such love, makes me miss MY grandmothers so much!

Truly gorgeous Kathy! That’s some major nuppage going on. On the mailing to Grandma thing, I would highly recommend FedEx Home Delivery. It takes two days, is close to the same cost as USPS, but you get a tracking number and a delivery comfirmation by email (if requested).

~Di

(You sure have come a long way from your days posting questions at the About Knitting forum, lol.)

Thank you. Thank you for sharing the experience of knitting this with us all, thank you for being an absolutely amazing (and dogged! 2200 Nupps!) knitter, and thank you for being an all around rockstar.

Gorgeous work, I know your grandmother will cherish it forever, and it will surely be an heirloom for generations.

I think hand-delivering would be the best bet for something this beautiful…only cause I’ve had some recent mail theft issues. Seeing all of your lace knitting has really inspired me…your blog is one of the first places I go to get ideas for heirloom projects and I’ve bought more than one book after reading your reviews…and this shawl…stunning! So freakin’ gorgeous…great work!

It is stunning! Now I am thinking I should revisit that book….Hmm….but nupps…and that many. *grin* Maybe not. Priority mail it as a surprise package to Grandma, with a few chocolates from Trader Joes! (I did a shawl from Victorian Lace Today for my gramma’s 80th – I’d never done a knitted on border…it was 4 weeks late…but the chocolates made it all better!)

I read a lot of knitting blogs and generally don’t comment. I must make an exception for this entry. Holy crap. Stunning! (I live in Acton, MA, spitting distance from you.)

I’m in the final stages of knitting a (wicked big) lace chuppah for my daughter’s August 2 wedding, so I “get” what it takes to create a lace masterpiece. You have done it several times over; I am still aspiring.

I read a lot of knitting blogs and generally don’t comment. I must make an exception for this entry. Holy crap. Stunning! (I live in Acton, MA, spitting distance from you.)

I’m in the final stages of knitting a (wicked big) lace chuppah for my daughter’s August 2 wedding, so I “get” what it takes to create a lace masterpiece. You have done it several times over; I am still aspiring.